Connecting device

ABSTRACT

A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.

DOMESTIC PRIORITY CLAIM

This application hereby claims the benefit under Title 35, United StatesCodes § 119(e) of any U.S. application Ser. No. 60/445,932 filed Feb. 7,2003, and is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, aconnector that mates with a conjugate connector in order to link a firstand second signal conduction means which terminates in each of theconnectors. This system is configurable in that the particular locationand operation of a keying mechanism is separate, relative to the caseand insulator.

2. Description of the Related Art

Such connectors are utilized mainly, but not exclusively, for electricalconductors or optical fibers or even a combination of the two. Anyfloating or uncontrolled positioning of either the angular or axialmovement of the insulator blocks located therein may compromise thequality of the connection.

Additionally, and more importantly, prior art keying schemes betweensuch receptacle and plug assemblies are supplied to offer a number offixed keying configurations or to particular customer specifications.Such manufactured systems prevent customer selection of a particularorientation of the keying means and relative insulator positioning.Further, such assemblies in the past have not been able to change theirkeying arrangement in the field or once obtained by the customer.

Connectors are utilized in various fields anywhere particular electricor optical signals or leads need to be conducted. Connectors aretypically of two types, one being a so called push-pull type, comprisinga male connector and female connector, which allows coupling between twoaxially moveable bodies and/or insulators. The outer body or plugassembly makes it possible to control a lock and pushing by which thetwo connectors of conjugate type may be locked together by pushing inone direction and unlocking by pulling out of body. The other type ofconnector relates to those with other connection means, such as snapfastening of one connection to the other or an equivalent thereof. Theinsert located within respective receptacle or plug assembly may betermed an insulator, even when the particular function does notinsulate, for example for separation of the signal leads.

What is needed in the art is a connector having a configurable,selectable keying relative to the insulator and casing thereby allowingthe end user to select their own keying schemes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the need for a connector by providing afield configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each otherand relative to the connector casings. The present system includesseparate relative keying means that are separate from the case keying orlocating mechanism.

Additionally, the present invention utilizes a retention means forexample, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within thereceptacle case. The present invention also allows the selectableconnection between a customer's equipment case or box utilizing either afront mounting installation or a rear mounting installation. Oneadditional feature of the present invention is that the invention has anability to utilize a fastening mechanism separate from either the casingor the insulator blocks.

The present invention, in one form thereof, utilizes a double beamsupported catch for interlocking the plug assembly with the receptacleassembly. Further features of the invention allow particular RF or EMFshielding of locations of the connector assembly as needed or desired.

An advantage of the present invention is that the end user of theconnector is allowed to select the orientation of the keying insulatoror block of the plug and receptacle relative to the respective cases.The prior art having fixed keying, required manufacturers to manufacturedifferent keying combinations and stock many different types ofmanufactured connectors.

Another advantage of the present invention is the utilization of aretention means such as a one-way apron, allows a non-removableconnection between the receptacle insulator and receptacle casing.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that by adding severalselectable keying positions between the relative insulator blocks,casing, and latching mechanism, incorrect plug attachment or location isprevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a connector assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the connector assembly of the presentinvention viewing the mating insulators;

FIG. 1C is a sectional view of an alternate connector assembly;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the receptacle insulator and retentionmeans of the connector assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the receptacle case in one form of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3B is an alternate sectional view of the receptacle case of FIG.1A;

FIG. 4A is a rear perspective view of the receptacle insulator of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the receptacle insulator of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle insulator of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a diagrammatic view of one aspect of the presentinvention showing the selectable keying feature;

FIGS. 5C and 5D show axial end views of the assembled arrangement of thereceptacle insulator and plug insulator disposed at different rotaryorientations relative to the cases as a result of different keyingpositions, according to the selectable keying feature illustrated byFIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of one form of the connectorassemble of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the insulator positioner;

FIG. 8A is a perspective side view of the plug insulator;

FIG. 8B is a front elevational view of the plug insulator of the presentinvention showing the temporary fastening means for use with the pluginsulator positioner;

FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the plug insulator;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views of an alternate form of theinvention showing means of RF and EMF shielding disposed within theconnector assembly; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B show alternate mounting arrangements to a customerequipment case.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, andsuch exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows connector assembly 10 of the present invention. FIG. 1Autilizes receptacle assembly 12 and plug assembly 14 which are interfitto make a connection between to electrical or optical conduits or cables15. The style of connector assembly 10 is that of a push-pullconnection, although alternate styles may be utilized.

In FIG. 1B, receptacle assembly 12 is shown with an interfit receptacleinsulator 18, later described. Plug assembly 14 as shown in FIG. 1Bincludes a plug case 30 having an interfit plug insulator 32. Plug case30 includes a key 34 that slides into a corresponding groove 17 inreceptacle case 16. This key 34 and groove 17 create and guide therelative orientation of the receptacle case 16 and plug case 30 when theconnector assemblies are interfit. Also shown in FIG. 1C, emerging fromplug case 30 is one of two radially opposed catches or ears 40 thatinterfit within a port or opening 42 within receptacle case 16.

Directing attention now to receptacle case 16 in FIG. 2, one feature ofthe present invention is shown, that of the retention means 20 forretaining receptacle insulator 18 therein. In one form of the presentinvention, retention means 20 is that of a snap apron formed by aradially inwardly pointing web, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 3A and3B. As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, the outer surface of receptaclecase 16 includes a boss or shoulder 19 and threads 21. Receptacle case16 may further include a colored o-ring or washer for sealing with plugassembly 14.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the construction of the receptacle insulator 18which stands as a hollow cylindrical shape (as shown, other shapes suchas a hexagon may be equivalently utilized), having a ring or protrusion24 around the periphery of the outer surface. Receptacle insulator 18 issized to interfit within the bore 13 of receptacle case 16, such thatwhen so co-located, receptacle insulator 18 engages retention means 20and insulator ring 24. Once pushed through and into bore 13, theretention means 20 or web prevents or inhibits removal of receptacleinsulator 18 from receptacle case 16. Other styles of retentionmechanisms may be useful.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, receptacle insulator 18 also includes aparticular geometry head 26 having a peripheral surface 27. Theparticular geometry of head 26 is further formed in a cutout 29 ofreceptacle case 16 into which head 26 interfits. The engagement ofperipheral surface 27 with the cutout 29 prevents relative rotationalmovement between insulator 18 and receptacle case 16. As shown in FIGS.4A-C, receptacle insulator 18 includes a groove or keyway 31 forengagement with plug insulator 32 to be described later. As shown inFIGS. 4B and 4C, receptacle insulator 18 includes bores 33 through whichpast conventional electrical or optical leads (not shown).

The particular geometry of head 26 permits relative indexing orselectable keying upon insertion into receptacle insulator 18. Forexample, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A utilizes a six-sided head 26.This six-sided head allows for six different radial positions relativeto receptacle case 16 upon insertion. This freedom of selection allows aconsumer to assemble receptacle assembly 12 for their particular keyingneeds. Such radial indexing changes the relative radial location ofgroove or keyway 31 relative to receptacle case 16.

The configurable keying feature of the present invention isdiagrammatically shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in which, for example, byhaving a six-sided head 26 allows for six different keying positionsafter the receptacle insulator 18 and receptacle case 16 are deliveredto the customer. The prior art connectors utilized keys that arespecified by the customer when the product is purchased and supplied bythe connector manufacturer as a particular fixed feature. Duringutilization by the customer, the relative locations of the insert areselectable based upon client's needs. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, theradial position of plug insulator 32 is also selectable. Alternatively,other geometries of head 26 may be utilized.

Plug assembly 14, shown in FIG. 6, comprises a plug case 30 includingports or orifices 41 through which ears 40 of a cylindrically hollowshaped latching plug are pushed through. Latching plug 44 is the elementof plug assembly 14 on which ears 40 are actually formed, and moreimportantly on a particular double cantilever beam extension 45. A beamsupported at both ends portion of latching plug 44 is formed integrallywith latching plug 44 on opposite radial portions of latching plug 44 asmore clearly shown in FIG. 1C. Beam 45 creates a mechanism through whichears 40 radially may be retracted with movement of case 30. Returning toFIG. 6, latching plug 44 also includes a threaded end 46 which attachesto a cable grip adjuster 48.

FIGS. 5C and 5D show axial end views of the assembled arrangement of thereceptacle insulator 18 and plug insulator 32 disposed at differentrotary orientations relative to the respective cases, based on theselectively configurable keying feature depicted illustratively in FIGS.5A and 5B. As shown by FIGS. 5C and 5D, different keying positions forthe insulators are possible.

To successfully and accurately locate plug insulator 32 within plugassembly 14, an insulator positioner 50 is utilized. As shown in FIG. 7,insulator positioner 50 includes at one end, a castellated feature orgeometric shape 52, such as protuberances or shoulders about bore 53,that interfit a complimentary, geometrically formed head 36 of pluginsulator 32. The surface of feature 52 prevents relative rotation bycontacting and interfering with a peripheral surface 37 on pluginsulator 32. Insulator positioner 50 further includes a key means suchas tab 54 which interfits with a groove or keyway 49 on latching plug44. This prevents relative rotation when assembled between the latchingplug and insulator positioner 50 and because of feature 52 and surface37, therefore additionally preventing relative rotation of pluginsulator 32. The build up of these features allows the ultimatecustomer to selectively select the relative indexing or relativedisplacement of plug insulator 32 relative to plug assembly 14.

Generally, plug insulator 32 as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, is formed of asubstantially cylindrical member having a raised portion or key 39 whichinterfits into groove or keyway 31 in receptacle insulator 18. Such keyand keyway combination 39, 31 permits accurate relative radial locationand positioning between the insulators 18, 32.

For ease of assembly, there are raised arcuate portions 56 located aboutthe lead bores 58 on plug insulator 32. Such arcuate raised portions 56are utilized to interfit with bore 53 such that during assembly of thecable and leads therethrough, an interference fit is created betweeninsulator positioner 50 and plug insulator 32. This interference orpress fit connection increases the ability to handle the subassembly,during assembly of plug assembly 14. Lead bores 58 through pluginsulator 52 are conventional in nature.

The assembly of plug 14 is best shown in FIG. 6, as now described. Theoperator will take a cable 15 with leads and pass such cable through thecable grip adjuster 48. The leads and cable will then be passed throughinsulator positioner 50 with the leads then inserted into plug assembly32. When the operator has selected the relative indexes between pluginsulator 32 and plug case 30 the operator will interfit plug insulator32 into insulator positioner 50 forcing positioning head 36 andperipheral surface 37 into the feature 52, thereby preventing relativerotation between the parts. The arcuate projections 56 will form atemporary interference fit as they are pushed into bore 53 therebyforming a subassembly of the plug insulator positioner.

Next the plug insulator/insulator positioner subassembly will be slidinto the latching plug with the positioner alignment tab 54 interfittinginto the keyway 49 on the latching plug 44. Cable grip adjuster 48 willthen be slid and connected, for example, via threads 46 to latching plug44.

At this time, the subassembly so developed shall be pushed into plugcase 30 to permit ears 40 to pass through radial opposite ports 41 inplug case 30. Such ears 40 extend out past the outer radial peripheralsurface of plug 30 thereby allowing ears 40 to additionally enablerelative locking between plug assembly 14 and receptacle assembly 12.With such insertion of latching plug 44 into plug case 30, plug assembly14 is complete and ready for insertion into receptacle assembly 12 tocomplete connector assembly 10. The sub-connection of cable gripadjuster 46 and its attachment to latching plug 44 causes fingers 57formed from radial cuts or grooves within insulator positioner 50, tocollapse about cable 15, as the fingers 57 interfere with the interiorsurface of cable grip adjuster 48. This permits a firm grasp orconnection between cable 15 and plug assembly 14 eliminating or reducingpossible axial forces between the inserted leads, plug insulator 32, andcable 15.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 9A and9B, an RF or electromagnetic interference (EMF) protection structure isshown and utilized. Connector assembly 10 in this embodiment is shownwith a circular shield contact inserted about the cable leads withininsulator positioner 50. Such cable shield is made of an electricallyconductive material and connected to the ground lead or shielding of theinserted cable. Other portions of connector assembly 10, in particular,receptacle insulator 18, plug insulator 32, and insulator positioner 50are coated with a metallic or conductive layer or substance to fullysurround the leads of cable 15. The cable grip adjuster of thisalternate embodiment as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is different than thatof the primary embodiment shown elsewhere.

An additional feature of the present invention is the creation ofalternate mounting arrangements of connector assembly 10 with thecustomer's equipment case or box 100. As shown in FIG. 10A, a frontmounting installation is possible in which the receptacle assembly 12 isinstalled with the particular keying of the insulators as selected withthe customer's wiring harness passing through an opening 110 inequipment case 100. Assembly of the leads takes place outside of box100. The mounting proceeds by inserting the receptacle assembly 12 intothe bore 110 while a panel nut 120 secures the receptacle 12 from therear. In an alternate mounting, the receptacle assembly 12 is firstinserted and connected to the customer's case 100 and the receptacleinsulator is installed from the back, pushed through the receptacle case16, and allowing the retention means 20 such as the one-way web or snapfit to selectively axially locate the insulator within receptacle case16.

Construction materials for the connector assembly 10 may be made fromconvention materials such as plastics or metal, but are preferablyinjection molded for standardization and cost reduction. Alternatemethod of manufacturing and materials may be equivalently utilized.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1. A connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables,said assembly comprising: a female receptacle connector having areceptacle insulator and receptacle case, said receptacle case having agroove defined in said receptacle case and at least one opening definedin said receptacle case; a male plug connector matingly connectable withsaid female receptacle connector, said male plug connector including aplug case having an interfitting plug insulator matingly interfittablewith said receptacle insulator, said plug case having a key that isslidable into said groove, and said plug case having at least one catcheach interfittable with a respective one of the at least one opening tothereby prevent accidental separation between said plug case and saidreceptacle case during assembled connection of said male plug connectorand said female receptacle connector; and a retention means forretaining said receptacle insulator within said receptacle case, whereinsaid receptacle insulator includes a head with a peripheral surface,said receptacle case having a cutout corresponding to the shape of saidhead whereby engagement of said receptacle insulator head with saidreceptacle case prevents relative rotation therebetween.
 2. Theconnector assembly of claim 1 in which the geometry of said head permitsrelative indexing between said receptacle insulator and said receptaclecase.
 3. The connector assembly of claim 1 in which the geometry of saidhead permits selectable keying between said receptacle insulator andsaid receptacle case.
 4. The connector assembly of claim 3 in which saidhead is six sided.
 5. A connector assembly for connecting together twoconduits or cables, said assembly comprising: a female receptacleconnector having a receptacle insulator and receptacle case, saidreceptacle case having a groove defined in said receptacle case and atleast one opening defined in said receptacle case; a male plug connectormatingly connectable with said female receptacle connector, said maleplug connector including a plug case having an interfitting pluginsulator matingly interfittable with said receptacle insulator, saidplug case having a key that is slidable into said groove, and said plugcase having at least one catch each interfittable with a respective oneof the at least one opening to thereby prevent accidental separationbetween said plug case and said receptacle case during assembledconnection of said male plug connector and said female receptacleconnector; and a retention means for retaining said receptacle insulatorwithin said receptacle case, wherein said at least one catch are formedfrom a double cantilever beam extension.